CHENNAI: It is ironic that actor Khushbu, who was drawn into the DMK by the Stalin faction had to leave the party for having fallen out with him.
When she began toying with the idea of taking the political plunge, the DMK was not her first choice. Rather, it was the Congress. “It is not a question of whether, but when I will join the Congress,” was her first sound byte on entering politics.
Senior Congress leaders were hopeful that the actor with a mass appeal would help revive the dwindling fortunes of the party. But, contrary to their hopes, she joined the DMK.
Rationalising the decision to join the male-dominant party, Khushbu had then said she was attracted by the teachings and ideals of ‘Periyar’, whose teachings according to her continue to guide the DMK. “I had also acted as Maniyammai, wife of Periyar, in the movie ‘Periyar’,” she had maintained. For his part, M Karunanidhi had said, “She has the ability to strive for women’s empowerment and would be part of the party’s women’s wing.”
The relationship now has been torn asunder.